Now that the pro-Western government in Lebanon has been "put in its place" by Hezbollah - and by extension Iran and Syria - what is Israel up against - and what narrative will the Islamists use to heal the wounds and consolidate their victory? Yasser Al Zaatera of Palestine's Samiddon newspaper outlines the likely approach. Explaining why Lebanon's Pro-West Sunni … [Read more...] about Advice for Hezbollah: How to Win Over the Pro-West Opposition
Obama Team Responds to ‘5 Myths’
Those "myths" include: - The Primary has left Democrats divided. - The Primary campaign has hurt Obama with swing voters and Republicans. - Obama cannot perform strongly enough among white voters. - The race against Clinton has compromised Obama's position among women. - Obama cannot win working class voters. Details at the RCP blog. Even though these … [Read more...] about Obama Team Responds to ‘5 Myths’
Do We Only Want Fast Snapshots of Our Elective Processes, Or An In-Depth Documentary? Having Both Would Be Better
Recap of BBC Show, as promised to TMV readers earlier. I was on a BBC radio show today as a blogger from The Moderate Voice. The issue of the day there was (still), “Should Hillary Clinton quit?” As a sign of intense international interest in the Obama-Clinton primary race, the BBC has been airing many opinion shows about the elections. This one segment of one … [Read more...] about Do We Only Want Fast Snapshots of Our Elective Processes, Or An In-Depth Documentary? Having Both Would Be Better
Should Hillary Clinton Quit?: “Questioning The Question”
Wait, wait, don't clobber me for asking this low in vitamins, high in refined sugar question. I'm not qoing to answer it. I question the question... the repeater-rifle question stuck on automatic: “Should Hillary quit?” Hear me out... There are several poignant "election times" topics for national discussion that have been mostly ignored. They oughtn't be. For instance: … [Read more...] about Should Hillary Clinton Quit?: “Questioning The Question”
Military Procurement
Hallelujah. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has provided a welcome injection of sanity into the perennial debate over the United States' bloated defense budget. … [Read more...] about Military Procurement
Empower the People of Myanmar to Help Themselves
My sister Daphne studied Burmese music in Yangon. She is in touch with teachers and students at the music school Gitameit. They are organizing relief aid. Daphne wrote this: Small and local aid agencies are best equipped to help the victims of cyclone Nargis because they are already operating on the ground. Donations to these agencies are more effective since big aid … [Read more...] about Empower the People of Myanmar to Help Themselves
Barr The Door
Jeff Parker, Florida Today … [Read more...] about Barr The Door
[update] BREAKING: Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann to resign today
Update (Deal or No Deal): From numerous local sources but also reported in TPM Muckraker, Ohio AG Marc Dann tried to negotiate his resignation in exchange for the Ohio House not launching another investigation. So far no deal. Here's the news from OPENERS at the Plain Dealer: Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann is expected to announce his resignation later today, The Plain … [Read more...] about [update] BREAKING: Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann to resign today
Defeat of an arch foe of clean government is in reach
I am delighted with the encouraging news that McConnell Leads, But Under 50 Even though he has one of the largest political war chests for his upcoming Senate campaign, Senator minority leader McConnell is polling with surprisingly low margins relative to his potential opponents. The Senator is perhaps the most prominent champion of special interest influence and his … [Read more...] about Defeat of an arch foe of clean government is in reach
Alaska to Vote on Publicly Funded Elections
Public Campaign Action Fund relays a report on the upcoming vote on Publicly Financed Elections promoted by Alaskans for Clean Elections. I made an online donation of $10 as my vote of encouragement. David James of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner says that if you're feeling blue about the state of Alaska politics and government don't despair. There are few things voters can … [Read more...] about Alaska to Vote on Publicly Funded Elections
A Flag Pin Flip Flop?
Much ado has been made over Sen. Barack Obama's failure to wear a flag pin on his lapel during this campaign. (We have to wonder, however, why Hillary Clinton doesn't get the same treatment over her lack of patriotic pantsuit pinnage.) Obama apparently drew a larger target on himself by saying that he wore is patriotism in a different manner. It was noted today by Scared … [Read more...] about A Flag Pin Flip Flop?
Report released on health of U.S. 911 services, focus on wireless 911
Consider this report as a guide to how not to have to say, "woulda coulda shoulda" (here's a summary; both are pdfs). My state of Ohio is considered to have a "critical lack of funding [that] is compromising the safety of Ohioans." I've written about what the Ohio legislature is doing here. How's your state doing? Do you know of any horror stories related to the … [Read more...] about Report released on health of U.S. 911 services, focus on wireless 911
The British Psyche:As Interested in the USA Elections 2008 as Americans
Got a call from the BBC this morning. I'll be on BBC radio here in just a little bit to speak about "Should Hillary Clinton Quit?" I'll post the article on what was said on the show, later tonight. I've been writing an article for TMV on just that topic. Generally, it's a critique about the MSM's perseveration re telling a candidate what they ought do next. Irritable back seat … [Read more...] about The British Psyche:As Interested in the USA Elections 2008 as Americans
On gender identity, amputee wannabes, & our contagious natures
At the close of the second of NPR's two part look at how parents are addressing their children's gender-identity issues which aired last week, Robert, the father of Violet, who is "absolutely certain" that she is "genuinely transgender," explains how he finds himself "almost offended" when people suggest that he and his family have been too quick to embrace a transgender … [Read more...] about On gender identity, amputee wannabes, & our contagious natures
Obama, the Apostate
I'm a little surprised at those who took at face value Edward Luttwak's piece in yesterday's New York Times. In an astonishing article, Luttwak makes the case that a President Obama is likely to find his relationship with the Islamic world to be tense and volatile. The reason? As an "apostate" (his words, not mine), the Senator from Illinois would be subject to the death … [Read more...] about Obama, the Apostate
A Sign It Is All But Over For Senator Hillary Clinton’s Campaign (UPDATED)
The skinny bald-headed man has sung: James Carville has been one of Hillary Clinton's most energetic defenders, but on Monday he all but declared Barack Obama will become the Democratic nominee for president. Speaking to students at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, Carville argued Clinton should stay in through the final nominating contest in early June, … [Read more...] about A Sign It Is All But Over For Senator Hillary Clinton’s Campaign (UPDATED)
Poll: Democrats Want Obama Clinton Primary Campaign To Continue
Yesterday we ran this post about a poll indicating Democrats wanted the primary battle between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to continue -- and now a second poll has come up with the same finding, and almost the same numbers: On the eve of the West Virginia primary, most Democrats nationally say Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton should continue the … [Read more...] about Poll: Democrats Want Obama Clinton Primary Campaign To Continue
Disaster Tragedy
Tab, The Calgary Sun … [Read more...] about Disaster Tragedy
My Favorite Pragmatic Liberal in Congress
A Liberal Wit Builds Bridges to the G.O.P. Many say they also respect his zest for cutting a deal and, indeed, Mr. Frank still hopes to reach one on the housing legislation. To appeal to the White House, he has made numerous revisions, including dropping a plan to have the government serve as a clearinghouse for auctioning bundles of refinanced mortgages... What vexes … [Read more...] about My Favorite Pragmatic Liberal in Congress
Are Republicans facing a political tsunami?
A raft of news items portending bad tidings for the GOP this November has some Democratic party enthusiasts rubbing their hands in glee. One example of this can be found at the left wing blog Liberal & Progressive Politics and Perspectives where Deborah White feels that Republicans Ignoring Republicans is a Good Thing for Democrats. As always, we would encourage you to click … [Read more...] about Are Republicans facing a political tsunami?